Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in a statement yesterday said they are pleased that the authorities in Bangladesh have chosen to postpone the national elections that were planned for January 22.

"To have held the elections in spite of a planned boycott by opposition parties would have meant such elections would have lacked credibility and been unacceptable to Australia and the international community," he said.

Downer welcomed the decision of President Iajuddin to appoint a new chief adviser of the caretaker government, and encourages the new chief adviser to ensure the rescheduled elections are free and fair, and be held in a timely and peaceful manner with the participation of all political parties.

"The situation in Bangladesh remains fragile and the Australian government urges all parties to work together to ensure the interests of all Bangladeshis are upheld," he said, adding, "We will continue to monitor developments."